One of the game changers in geothermal energy: Heat pumps We're happy to share that the 12 heat pumps have officially arrived at our geothermal facility in Skejby, Aarhus. Wondering why we, as a geothermal developer, are so excited about heat pumps? In geothermal district heating, heat pumps are crucial for maximising the energy we can extract from the underground water. After the geothermal water passes through a heat exchanger to transfer the heat to the water in the district heating grid, it's not always hot enough for direct use. In Aarhus, the natural geothermal heat from beneath our feet is approximately 70°C, but in Kredsløb's district heating grid they need to receive temperatures of 80°C.
That's where the heat pump steps in. It boosts the energy extraction and raises the temperature, unlocking the full potential of geothermal. In fact, thanks to heat pumps, we can recover up to 50% more energy than we would from just the first heat exchange alone. About the heat pumps: We're using natural refrigerants in the form of propane and isobutane because they are highly adaptable to different temperature conditions, this flexibility allows us to adjust the system to the specific needs of the grid in Aarhus.
We are working with hydrocarbon-based heat pumps since they offer advantages in modularity, scalability, safety, and efficiency, which makes them especially well-suited for large-scale district heating. We are using semi-hermetic screw compressors, which are designed for high efficiency, long operational life, and minimal maintenance, providing a reliable and cost-effective solution for our heat pump system. We are quite excited about putting these tailored installations into action to deliver sustainable and reliable district heating in Aarhus later this year.
Check out the happy smiles from the first inspection of the heat pumps by our Aarhus Project Team last week:
